10 Useful Tips on Planning a Successful Job Interview

As they say, just a little work and efficient planning goes quite a long way and can offer numerous benefits for the respective person. In our case, have you already been programmed for a job interview in the next days? Congratulations and good luck, since now it is the time to yourself prepared and become acquainted with the company and job requirements.

With so many competitors that you have to beat for not-so-many jobs nowadays, these interviews are now proving to be more important than ever before. This essential face-to-face discussion is your ideal opportunity to sell yourself to a potential interviewer in order to choose you from a large number of candidates. Here is our brief list comprising ten of the most essential tips for perfecting your next job interview and obtaining the maximum results.

1. Take the Time and Do Your Homework

Do not simply go to your job interview having absolutely no idea about the details regarding the company and the people you are meeting with. Analyze the firm beforehand –for example, search for useful info on its website and other similar pages on the Internet, look for it on the social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Google+, and do a little simple research about its domain of activity, to see what can be discovered about its recent history or the management group.

Make sure to talk about your newly found details during the interview. These simple, but efficient facts, will increase your reliability with the interviewers and can help you to come up with brilliant questions to ask him or her.

2. Make Your Strategy in Advance

Do not destroy all your possibilities before you even appear by missing your way to the meeting or being trapped in the crowded traffic that can be a serious obstacle in the big cities. Having a significant delay to a job interview simply can make many times a very bad impression on the persons who are selecting the candidates.

Create a map where you are going by preparing different ways to the location. Determine how much time the trip will take, the best places where you can park your car or get off the public transportation, and anything else that you need to take care of and appear just in time. Make sure to have written down the name and contact number of the interviewer you will be discussing with.

3. Practice Beforehand

Occasionally, it might happen that a member of the interviewing panel will ask a surprising question to test the candidate, but for the majority of the time, many discussions go along the same way. Think about some smart answers to typical questions that the interviewers are more likely to ask, like “What are your strong points and weaknesses?”; “Why do you want to work with us?”; “Why should we hire you?” or “Tell us more about yourself.” Perform a mock interview by having a reliable friend as your practice partner.

4. Get Useful References

Look for at least a couple of key people, like former managers, co-workers or teachers, who will act as your professional sources. Ask for their permission in advance, as well as the preferred method and the best time for them to be approached by the interviewer.

You might get the request to offer your references later, but you must arrive to the interview with these details by your side, just case that you will be asked about them.

5. Carry Necessary Documentation

Create a well-structured list of all documentation that you might need for your job meeting and be sure to have them in your briefcase. This list can consist of copies of different types of résumés, your passport and driver license, personal Social Protection cards or papers from your previous jobs. If the members of the interview panel demand something that you were not informed to bring with you, make sure to hand it to them very soon.

6. Dress According to the Occasion

Your outfits should be nice, polished and making yourself look like a true professional. It is better to wear more conservative clothes than casual ones. Be well prepared with fresh and properly maintained skin and hair. Keep all your tattoos under the clothing and take off any piercing if you had it. If the workplace has a more informal atmosphere, you will be able to see later what is appropriate to wear there, but only after you have earned your job.

7. Better to Arrive Early to the Interview

Be there with at least 10 minutes before your job interview. Go to the restroom and examine your overall look. An important detail that you must not forget is to turn off your phone so it does not ring during the meeting. Such small and frequent interruptions are annoying most of the times and can break the course of the discussion. Maintain a coherent fluency in all your answers and make sure to keep them direct and simple.

Nevertheless, be sure not to program the arrival too early, since you might irritate the interviewer, due to the fact that he may be meeting with another applicant or just is not yet prepared to discuss with you.

8. Know How to Sell Yourself

A job interview is not an optimum occasion to be extremely modest. Create a 30-second “advertisement” that presents you in the best lighting possible. In companies this is known as the “elevator speech”, a powerful summary of “why the company has to choose me?” that can be said in the very short time when you must make a great first impression. This must consist of your strong points, all relevant experience for the respective job and what sets you apart from the other candidates.

9. You Also Have to Ask Questions

No interviewer will be well impressed by an applicant who is quiet during the meeting or knows few details about the job he is applying for.
If you have prepared your homework and based on the researches about the organization, ask direct questions which show your interest about the company and its market.

Do not onslaught the interviewers with challenging or delicate questions, but be sure that your questions are not very general either. Now it is the time to capitalize your efforts and confirm that you are experienced for the job and the firm that you like to be a part of.

10. Make Sure to Follow Up

The day after the interview, send a brief e-mail saying thanks to the person who has discussed with you, mentioning his efforts and concern, as well as renewing your interest for the job. If you do not receive an answer after more than 7 days, contact them to ask politely when they will be deciding. However, do not despair, apply to multiple jobs at once, in order to improve the possibilities of being hired.

Every job conference is an opportunity from where you can learn more about your future work experience. Even if, for now, you do not get your desired job, at the time when the next meeting will come around, you will be a lot better prepared for this task and comfortable in the situation. This will increase your chance of earning the next job that is waiting you around the corner.

As they say, just a little work and efficient planning goes quite a long way and can offer numerous benefits for the respective person. In our case, have you already been programmed for a job interview in the next days? Congratulations and good luck, since now it is the time to yourself prepared and become acquainted